carbon steel pans in dollar store

Question

Okay.. so I watch this video in youtube where this guys seem to have done their homework. They have this fried egg dancing on the pan like skates on ice:

https://youtu.be/-suTmUX4Vbk

So we don't have this brands in Spain, so I start searching for carbon steel pans at the hood and find this 3 pan set for 8,50 euros (bout 10$) at the dollar store with carbon steel written on the label.

So what's the deal? Is carbon steel always the same or is there anyway of recognizing good vs bad. As everyone I guess, I don't like to pay extra just for the brand. Will this cheap pans do the egg job if I season them properly?

Answer 1

Steel is pretty much steel (carbon cast etc)

It's the surface that's needs to be conditioned. Only buy pans with a smooth surface regardless of price. Then use metal scourers and spatulas to remove any rough spots. And then regularly heat with oil until it smokes

For eggs, with a conditioned pan, pour in a layer of salt and heat until the salt discolours, discard salt, let cool a bit, roughly wipe out with paper, add a little oil, and the eggs should cook fine

Answer 2

There are many, many grades of 'carbon steel' but I don't think the differences will matter much for cookware. What might matter is how thick it is: too thin and the pan won't survive long. The quality of the joint between the handle and the pan might be an issue but that can always be repaired. Frankly, for the price, I'd buy the cheapo version and try it.

Wikipedia's entry on 'cookware and bakeware' has a neat summary of the properties of various materials.